Yamma hamma: Umpire John Hirschbeck drilled in the crotch by baseball (GIF)

During Wednesday night’s tilt between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim (does everything involved with the Angels have to include “of Anaheim?” — sheesh), home plate umpire John Hirschbeck had the unfortunate and tremendously painful experience of having a baseball drill him square in his crotch.

With A.J. Pierzynski at the plate and checking his swing on an offering from Nick Maronde, the ball just barely glanced off either Angels catcher Chris Iannetta’s glove or Pierzynski’s bat straight back into Hirschbeck’s family jewels.

It wasn’t a pretty sight. Hirschbeck immediately dropped to the ground like a bag of dirt, writhing in excruciating pain.

Goodness gracious. That’s just nuts, man. I bet it was difficult to call balls after that experience, man. Strikes, sure, but yelling out “ball” after you may have nearly lost one? That takes major cajones.

Get well, John Hirschbeck. On behalf of all men, we’re shifting uncomfortably in our chairs for you.